I've seen different things done in the past, and am finally trying something different.

I've made a theme spot in my room for all of our class read alouds.

I'm hoping it helps us narrow down what theme or message we get from the books the we read.

A colleague of mine did this a year or two ago, so I can't take credit for the idea,

but I'm thankful that I remembered what she did so I can try too!

Any other thoughts or ideas????

Writing

We started our writer's workshop this week and

I. AM. So. EXCITED!

We're doing something a bit different this year,

so it's newer to me, but my whole hallways is a buzz over it.

One lesson this week was idea hearts. We changed them into inspiration hearts thanks to an awesome teammate of mine! So after we read some stories and talked about how authors get ideas, they got to make their own idea hearts in their writing notebooks.

Finally today, Friday, there was a little bit of time to write.

I picked an idea from my inspiration heart and wrote as the kids wrote.

It felt great.

A couple things to note....

1. This was a quick draft/first write sketch for us

2. It was not prompted at all, but free choice

3. Kids had 15 minutes to write and couldn't stop until I told them to

4. Not ONE student complained and everyone wrote!!!!

Now, some stories were much more developed than others but this quick write will really give me some beginning ideas for working with students as we continue with our workshop!!! I'm so excited.

Arm Candy

I ordered and received my Harry Potter bracelet from Kimberly aka the Trashy Crafter!!SWOON!!!I am so in love with this piece, that I've already gotten my eye on a necklace too. If you haven't checked out First of all she was so great to work with. Her product came super fast, and it was packaged using recycled paper as well. I just loved everything about it!I decided on the Harry Potter bracelet but she has so many to choose from. It was hard to just pick one. :)

2 comments:

1. If you are teaching math with chocolate, I am definitely going to have to stop by for your math lessons. (Brilliant!) 2. Teaching theme is SO HARD, but I love your idea of putting read alouds under certain themes throughout the year. (Gonna steal that!) 3. YAYfor you that you were able to write along with your students. This is SO important! (So proud!!)You are off to an awesome start, my friend! As a teacher who will have some of your students next year, I appreciate ALL of your hard work!!

Love your math lesson! That was my favorite part when I was student teaching. Also love your bracelet I've been meaning to get a bracelet from her and your bracelet looks awesome! I love Harry Potter! Glad you survived your first full week! Cheers!

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